Power steering leak? (from reservoir area) 2006 s4. After fun in snow

**nimski62** · 12-18-2008 11:27 PM

Power steering only works when car is rolling. Even if its rolling @ idle it works. But when completely stopped, the steering wheel is SOLID.. VERY hard to move, that is until you give it a little gas or start rolling.

This started after I was snow drifting.. Any ideas?

(This cant be a pump because it makes no noise what so ever, and it always turns on fully when rolling, right??)

**Quattroownsyou** · 12-18-2008 11:42 PM

Could be the power steering rack assembly or the power steering pump. Try pouring some power steering fluid in and check to see if it leaks out somewhere. Check ETKA to see how the assembly is put together on your car, should give you an idea of where you might be leaking fluid.

**nimski62** · 12-18-2008 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by Quattroownsyou

Could be the power steering rack assembly or the power steering pump. Try pouring some power steering fluid in and check to see if it leaks out somewhere. Check ETKA to see how the assembly is put together on your car, should give you an idea of where you might be leaking fluid.

Fun in the snow fried my power steering?? It makes no grinding noises though! ill check the fluid tommorow. hopefully its as simple as that.

**SebringSilver** · 12-18-2008 11:48 PM

Could be you just need to top off the power steering fluid. Happened to me before as well.

**nimski62** · 12-18-2008 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by SebringSilver

Could be you just need to top off the power steering fluid. Happened to me before as well.

So you didn't have noises or anything? And when you even gave a little gas, it worked fine? AHH you'll let me sleep at night if you say yes to all that!!

**SebringSilver** · 12-18-2008 11:56 PM

Originally Posted by nimski62

So you didn't have noises or anything? And when you even gave a little gas, it worked fine? AHH you'll let me sleep at night if you say yes to all that!!

In my case, it just felt very stiff, very heavy, at low speeds, and kinda normal when the car was going faster. A visit to the dealer to have the fluids topped up solved everything.

Hopefully, that will hold true for you as well.

Good luck.

**studlee** · 12-19-2008 12:02 AM

it is power steering pump...this happened to me a few months ago...lucky warranty covered it.

**nimski62** · 12-19-2008 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by studlee

it is power steering pump...this happened to me a few months ago...lucky warranty covered it.

But how can the powersteering pump fail after just a few snow drifts?? i dont understand, it never gave any problems thus far.

**s4for5** · 12-19-2008 06:59 AM

Did you hold the wheel at full lock during you little drifting episode?
Full lock is BAD for the pump

**b6onboost** · 12-19-2008 07:40 AM

^ yep. every winter a handful of people blow their powersteering pump when doing donuts in the snow. when you turn full lock for extended periods of time or constantly turn the wheels back and forth lock to lock you put a ton of stress on the pump.

**nimski62** · 12-19-2008 08:37 AM

Originally Posted by b6onboost

^ yep. every winter a handful of people blow their powersteering pump when doing donuts in the snow. when you turn full lock for extended periods of time or constantly turn the wheels back and forth lock to lock you put a ton of stress on the pump.

Okay I just looked, and the fluid doesnt seem low, but there was powersteering fluid all over the powersteering resovoir. I am going to get my ass to the Audi dealership.. i am in chicago to pick up my girlfriend from the airport.. luckily i got a nav full of audi waypoints! haha. i sure hope it fixes it with a little fluid.